Which vertebrae have articular facets?
Thoracic vertebrae
Thoracic vertebrae have bodies of intermediate size. They are distinguished by their long, slender spines and by the presence of facets on the sides of the bodies articulating with the heads of the ribs and by facets on the transverse processes articulating with the tubercles of ribs.
What do the cervical vertebrae articulate with?
Below the axis, the cervical vertebrae articulate with each other anteriorly at the intervertebral disks and posteriorly at the facet joints.
What are articular facets?
The joints in the spine are commonly called Facet Joints. Each vertebra has two sets of facet joints. One pair faces upward (superior articular facet) and one downward (inferior articular facet). There is one joint on each side (right and left). Facet joints are hinge–like and link vertebrae together.
Which vertebrae have costal facets?
thoracic vertebrae
The primary characteristic of the thoracic vertebrae is the presence of costal facets. There are six facets per thoracic vertebrae: two on the transverse processes and four demifacets—the facets of the transverse processes articulate with the tubercle of the associated rib.
Are Demifacets the same as costal facets?
The distinction between facet and demifacet (half a facet) rests upon whether the head of the rib articulates on only one body (facet) or overlaps two (demifacet). Transverse costal facets are where the tuberculum of the ribs articulates with the transverse processes of the vertebra.
What is the articular pillar of cervical spine?
In the cervical vertebral column, the articular processes collectively form the articular pillars. These are the bony surfaces palpated just lateral to the spinous processes.
What does the superior articular facet articulate with?
Superior articular facet (Facies articularis superior) is an oval-shaped, concave structure on the superior aspect of the lateral mass. It articulates with an occipital condyle on the underside skull.
What does the anterior articular facet articulate with?
Markings of the Atlas Bone: Superior articular facet (Facies articularis superior) is an oval-shaped, concave structure on the superior aspect of the lateral mass. It articulates with an occipital condyle on the underside skull.
How many articular facets are there?
There are six facets per thoracic vertebrae: two on the transverse processes and four demifacets—the facets of the transverse processes articulate with the tubercle of the associated rib.
What is a facet in the vertebral column?
Small joints located between and behind adjacent vertebrae. There are two facet joints at each level of the vertebral column, providing stability to the spinal column while allowing movement. Facet joints are encased with facet joint capsules, which contain fluid that protects and lubricates the joints.
Where is the costal facets located?
A costal facet is a site of connection between a rib and a vertebra. The costal facets are located on the vertebrae that the rib articulates with. They are the superior costal facet, the inferior costal facet, and the transverse costal facet.
Do cervical vertebrae have articular facets?
Cervical vertebrae tend to have superior articular facets that face posteromedially. Some studies have shown that more inferior cervical vertebrae have superior facets that face in a posterolateral direction – more akin to those of the thoracic region.
Why do inferior cervical vertebrae have superior facets?
Some studies have shown that more inferior cervical vertebrae have superior facets that face in a posterolateral direction – more akin to those of the thoracic region. Lastly, cervical vertebrae are known to have the greatest intervertebral disc height, which increases the range of motion.
What is the difference between inferior and superior articular facets?
The superior articular facets are weight bearing, encroach on the sides of the body and overhang the foramina transversaria. The superior facets lie on a more anterior plane than the inferior articular facets; the latter occupy a plane in common with the articular facets of lower cervical vertebrae.
What are the articular facets of the lateral mass?
The articular facets of the lateral mass and superior articular facets of the axis are in series with the small synovial unco-vertebral joints on the bodies of the other cervical vertebrae, and are not identical with the articular facets on the neural arches.